(11Th – 17Th July, 2026) Northwest Vietnam 7-Day Expedition: Ride The Highlands, Passes & Wild Valleys

After breakfast, we say goodbye to our hosts and ride toward the cooler highlands of Moc Chau. The climb brings a noticeable change in air and scenery, with long stretches of tea plantations and small ethnic communities scattered across the hills. It’s an easy, pleasant section of road that lets you enjoy both the landscape and the ride.

After lunch in Moc Chau, we follow Road 43—a quiet, scenic route with light traffic and clean views. The Da River ferry crossing provides a calm mid-day break before we continue on a smaller backroad into the mountains. By late afternoon, we reach Phu Yen, a modest rural town in Son La Province. Our rustic homestay for the night offers simple comfort and the kind of genuine hospitality that makes mountain travel memorable.

We start the day with the ascent over Lung Lo Pass, a 15-kilometer mountain route tied closely to Vietnam’s wartime history. During the 1954 Battle of Dien Bien Phu, this pass served as a key supply line and was heavily targeted by French air strikes. The remaining traces make Lung Lo not just a mountain road, but a reminder of resilience and sacrifice.

Now recognized as a national heritage site in Yen Bai Province, the pass combines steady riding, open viewpoints, and a clear sense of history. It’s not overly technical, but it’s one of the most meaningful stretches of the trip.

By late afternoon, we reach town and check into the hotel—a quiet evening to rest and prepare for the next day’s ride.

After breakfast, we leave Nghia Lo and head toward Mu Cang Chai. The route climbs steadily, starting with gentle tea-covered hills before approaching Khau Pha Pass—one of the highest and most well-known passes in the region. This section offers wide, open views, and we make practical stops along the way for photos and short breaks.

The ride continues through Tu Le Valley, a quiet rural basin known for its terraces and warm mineral streams. It’s a calm stretch of road that transitions smoothly into the deeper highlands.

By late afternoon, we reach Mu Cang Chai, an area recognized nationwide for its steep, layered rice terraces and strong Hmong cultural presence. We end the day at a Thai-run homestay—simple, comfortable, and a good place to rest after a solid day on the road.

Leaving Mu Cang Chai, we ride toward O Quy Ho Pass—one of the most notable high-altitude routes in Northern Vietnam. The climb brings shifting weather, moving clouds, and wide valley views. The road winds through slopes lined with tea, corn, and rice, and each section reveals a new angle of the rugged mountain range. It’s a steady, rewarding ride with plenty of worthwhile stops.

Reaching Sapa, we ease into the town’s mix of mountain atmosphere and ethnic culture. A quick visit to the Sapa Stone Church offers a look at one of the area’s key landmarks, often surrounded by local communities in traditional dress on market days.

As the day cools, we settle into a comfortable homestay—simple, clean, and well-positioned to enjoy Sapa’s evening air and relaxed pace.

After breakfast at the hotel, we ride downhill from Sapa toward Lao Cai City. Before moving on, we pause for a quiet coffee beside the Nam Thi River—the natural border between Vietnam and China. It’s a simple stop, but a memorable one, with a clear view of the river separating the two countries.

Leaving Lao Cai, we follow Road 70, then turn onto the quieter Road 152 toward Luc Yen. The landscape gradually shifts into palm forests and small rural communities as we approach Vu Linh, a Dao village located on the edge of Thac Ba Lake. Covering more than 23,000 hectares with over 1,300 small islands, Thac Ba is Vietnam’s largest man-made lake and home to several notable caves, including Hum, Cau Cuoi, and Bach Xa.

After lunch, we take a relaxed boat trip across the lake’s calm water and stop at a quiet island for a swim. Along the way, we pass local fishermen, small wooden boats, and forested shorelines—simple scenes that show the everyday rhythm of life here. It’s a good opportunity to connect with the Dao community and experience this peaceful lakeside area up close.

After breakfast, we start the final leg of the trip, riding southeast along Highway 2 toward Phu Tho. The road runs parallel to the Red River and offers steady, easy riding with open views of farmland and riverside villages. This section brings us out of the highlands and into the wider delta region, where rice fields, water buffalo, and daily rural life line the route.

After crossing the Black River by bridge, we continue toward Son Tay and merge onto the main road back to Hanoi. Our timing ensures we reach the city before late-afternoon traffic, keeping the last stretch smooth and stress-free.

Rolling back into Hanoi marks the end of the journey—a full week of mountain passes, cultural encounters, and the varied landscapes that define Northwest Vietnam.